Species & Ecosystems Data & Information Security

Last updated on May 12, 2021

Most species and ecosystems data and information in B.C. data systems are available online to the public, consistent with B.C.'s Open Information and Open Data Policy

Some data and information need to be secured for a variety of reasons. The policy and procedures explain how secure species and ecosystems data and information will be handled, protected and distributed.

 

Species and Ecosystems Data and Information Security Policy and Procedures (SEDIS)

Species and ecosystems data and information secured under the policy fall within four categories:
 

  • Species and Ecosystems Susceptible to Harm - data and information of a biological or ecological nature that places populations or occurrences of species and ecosystems at risk of harm, and interferes with their conservation or recovery. 
  • Proprietary - data and information where collection required access to private or First Nations lands and the landowner or First Nation has specified that it not be distributed, or the data and/or information is restricted on a time-limited basis (e.g., the data owner is awaiting publication or awaiting permit approval). The Province will not retroactively secure data and information for proprietary reasons. 
     
  • Statutory Constraints - data and information where release and distribution would violate provincial and federal statutes (e.g. private individual information as per FOIPPA (1995)
     
  • Government Interest - data and information where release would pose a substantive risk to government programs and activities (e.g., legal investigations, treaty negotiations). Data under this criterion is approved by the Deputy Minister.
 

Accessing Species & Ecosystems Secure Data & Information

Some species and ecosystems secure data and information may be released on behalf of the data custodian. To receive secure data and information you must have:

  • Demonstrated Need-to-Know for every request, determined by the data contact, as described in the Species and Ecosystems Secure Data and Information Procedures (PDF)
  • Successfully completed the Access to Species and Ecosystems Secure Data and Information Training Module (within the past 3 years)
  • Signed and submitted a Confidentiality and Non-Reproduction Agreement (within the past 3 years)

To request species and ecosystems secure data and information please use contact information below and provide your reasons for requiring the data, including details related to project, activities if applicable, and precise area of interest:

 

Contact information